ME! ... Merely
because I've been, for a moment, somewhat bedazzled by its cheap
glitter."
Margaret felt that he had torn off the mask and had revealed his
true self. But greater than her interest in this new personality
was her anger at having been deceived--self-deceived. "You asked
me how I'd like to live," cried she, color high and eyes filled
with tears of rage. "I answered your question, and you grow
insulting."
"I'm doing the best I know how," said he.
After a moment she got herself under control. "Then," asked she,
"what have you to propose?"
"I can't tell you just now," replied he, and his manner was most
disquieting. "To-morrow--or next day."
"Don't you think I'm right about it being humiliating for us to go
back to Washington and live poorly?"
"Undoubtedly. I've felt that from the beginning."
"Then you agree with me?"
"Not altogether," said he. And there was a quiet sternness in his
smile, in his gentle tone, that increased her alarms. "I've been
hoping, rather," continued he, "that you'd take an interest in my
career."
"I do," cried she.
"Not in MY career," replied he, those powerful, hewn features of
his sad and bitter.
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